Cassandra Do

‘Shemale’ is 34th murder

Transgender escort strangled in apartment

The murder of a “shemale” escort in her downtown apartment has friends and fellow escorts fearful they may be next. Cassandra Do, 32, of Toronto, known as Tula on the street, was found dead in her 11th-floor home on Gloucester St. on Monday at 10:30 p.m. by horrified relatives after failing to hear from her. An autopsy yesterday revealed Do had been strangled.

“I just can’t believe it,” said Tasha Jones, a transgender friend and former escort. “That’s why I don’t do what she did anymore. It just got too scary.”

Jones is suggesting the transgender escort community come together and look out for each other when working.

“It could have been one of us. We need to bond and stick together,” she said. “Being a transsexual is sometimes very lonely. We really can’t trust a lot of people.”

Jones said Do lived a reclusive life and only let a select few know her real identity and background, adding she was well-liked and well-known by others in the business, but only as Tula.

Do, the city’s 34th homicide victim of the year, used to turn tricks out of her apartment and advertised on the Internet using the Web site www.shemaletula.com. She also advertised in local community papers.

Another fellow escort, who asked not to be named, said she was in a state of disbelief when she heard about Do’s death.

“I still can’t accept it,” she said, adding Do was a loner.

“She was a very private person. All I really knew about her is that she loved cats.”

Her brother was visiting her at the time of her death, but police wouldn’t confirm if he was the one who found her. Friends are planning a memorial service.

Det.-Sgt. Craig Sanson from Toronto Police is asking anyone with information on Do’s final hours to call 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

TORONTO, Sat, Nov 29/2003

A Trans woman was sexually assaulted by a client matching the description of Cassandra Do`s murderer and a 1997 assault (see below for description). It was an incall at her place in the Parkdale area at about 2 am. He got her number from her ad in an EYE magazine edition from last August. She hadn`t advertised since August. At the beginning of the date he seemed fine, though he wasn`t interested in foreplay. He then got rougher and began choking her. She managed to push him off of her and she got up to get something from behind the curtains. He lunged at her. She then told him that the camera on her dresser was recording everything. He stopped immediately and apologized. He got dressed and left but not before stealing a substantial amount of money from her purse. An interesting detail is that he removed the condom he was wearing and took it with him. Also he was completely shaven. Not a hair on his body. The sex pro has his work number and has given it, along with this info to police.